Politics
EU Mission Criticizes INEC, Reports Violence, Vote-Buying During Gov Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria has received criticism from the European Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria 2023 for its handling of the electoral process.
In a preliminary statement, the Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission, Barry Andrews, stated that Nigerians were eager to participate in the democratic process but had become disillusioned due to failures by the political elite and INEC.
Andrews noted that INEC had not lived up to expectations, and that the hunger for democracy in Nigeria had been lost as a result.
Andrews said, “Throughout the mission, we saw that Nigerians have a great appetite for democracy and are keen to engage in various civic activities. However, in many parts of the country, their expectations were not met. Many were disappointed and we witnessed voter apathy that is in part, a clear consequence of failures by political elites and, unfortunately, also by INEC.
“Public confidence and trust in INEC were severely damaged on 25 February due to lack of transparency and operational failures in the conduct of the federal level polls.
“Up until the postponement, INEC continued to abstain from providing information, limiting its communication to a few press releases and ceremonial statements and hence failing to address public grievances and rebuild confidence in the electoral process.
“From 11 March onwards, despite compressed timeframes, INEC introduced various corrective measures to render a timely delivery of electoral materials, efficient use of election technologies, and ensure prompt publication of result forms, some of which were effective.
“Positively, INEC introduced some corrective measures ahead of Saturday’s polls, allowing a timely delivery of sensitive materials and improved use of election technologies, yet the institution continued to lack transparency.”
Andrews, reported that the March 18 elections experienced fewer issues with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System compared to the February 25 elections.
The governorship election result forms were uploaded and made available for public scrutiny, with online access ranging from 62 to 97 percent depending on the state.
This is a significant improvement compared to the presidential election results, where only a quarter of the result forms were visible at the time of declaration. As of midday on March 19, voters could access a majority of the governorship result forms online.
He, however, added that despite these improvements, “Polling on Election Day was disrupted by multiple incidents of thuggery and intimidation of voters, polling officials, observers, and journalists. Lagos, Kano, and other states in the southern and central parts were the most affected. Unfortunately, there were many casualties and fatalities. Vote-buying, also directly observed by EU EOM observers, further detracted from the appropriate conduct of the
elections.”
The second preliminary report of the EU EOM Nigeria 2023 supplements the first report issued on February 27. The mission has been present in Nigeria since January 11 and will continue to observe post-election developments.
The EU EOM will present and publish its final report, including recommendations for improving the electoral framework in the next few months.
In a surprising twist for the 2024 US election, young male voters emerged as a strong base of support for Donald Trump, helping secure his presidential victory against Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump’s campaign targeted a traditionally left-leaning demographic by tapping into issues like economic concerns and masculine appeal.
While Harris concentrated her platform on abortion rights, aiming to mobilize women voters, Trump successfully appealed to young men by emphasizing strength, economic independence, and anti-establishment values.
The former president appeared on popular male-focused platforms, including podcasts and events tied to cryptocurrency and combat sports, fostering a message of resilience and toughness.
Trump secured 54% of the male vote, a slight rise from his 2020 performance, with 49% of men aged 18–29 casting their vote for him, according to exit polling by NBC. This increase defied expectations that young voters would largely favour the Democratic ticket.
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Conservative activist Charlie Kirk reflected this appeal, declaring, “If you are a man in this country and you don’t vote for Donald Trump, you’re not a man.”
On Election Day, tech billionaire Elon Musk also celebrated Trump’s victory, stating, “the cavalry has arrived.”
Polling reveals a widening gender divide among young voters. Women under 29 overwhelmingly supported Harris, showing a 61-37 split.
Boston University’s Tammy Vigil noted that Trump’s campaign encouraged some voters to embrace divisive ideas, attracting men across demographics by aligning with values like economic strength and rejecting political correctness.
Among Black men under 45, Trump garnered approximately 30% of the vote — double the rate from 2020. His campaign also saw gains among Latino men, with 54% supporting Trump, representing an 18-point jump compared to the previous election, according to Edison Research.
Political scientist Kathleen Dolan of the University of Wisconsin remarked, “Trump’s portrayal as a strong, ‘tough’ leader resonated with voters who valued his boldness over traditional caution.”
For Democrats, Trump’s inroads with young male and minority voters pose a critical question as they analyze what went wrong.
However, one message remains clear: Trump’s appeal to masculinity and anti-establishment values resonated strongly, securing his win and reshaping the political landscape for years to come.
Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called on the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to provide a comprehensive report on individuals displaced by natural disasters across Nigeria and neighbouring regions.
The request was made during a meeting with the Federal Commissioner of the Commission, Tijani Ahmed, in Abuja on Wednesday.
Kalu urged the commission to conduct a detailed needs analysis of those affected by climate-induced displacement, such as floods and erosion, as part of an initiative to address the rising impact of climate change on vulnerable populations. He highlighted the importance of allocating a specific intervention fund within the commission’s budget to address the needs of displaced persons effectively.
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“We want the commission to present a complete report on the challenges faced by Nigerians nationwide,” said Kalu. “Displacement isn’t solely caused by conflict. Natural disasters are increasingly leaving people homeless. The climate is at odds with us, and as a government, we must prioritize mitigation and adaptation measures,” he added.
Kalu requested that the commission submit its report within two weeks to guide the parliament in its upcoming budget allocations. He emphasized the necessity for greater public awareness, encouraging the commission to present its findings in parliament and through media to highlight the urgent needs of displaced populations.
Ahmed expressed gratitude for the support, pledging to deliver the report within the specified timeframe. He also appealed for increased funding to enable the commission to fulfill its mandate effectively. “We will compile the report to provide a clear picture of the situation, encompassing both refugees and internally displaced persons, to ensure parliament understands our funding challenges,” he stated.
The Deputy Speaker’s call for data comes as climate-related displacements rise across Nigeria, raising concerns over resource adequacy for managing the situation.
In a significant development for residents of Araromi in Lagos State’s Ikorodu Local Government Area, House of Representatives member Babajimi Benson has launched the rehabilitation of the long-neglected Araromi-Adamo Road.
The 1.3-kilometer project is expected to be completed within three months, marking the first significant infrastructure upgrade for the community since 1996.
Our correspondent who visited the area reported that Benson, representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged residents to support the project and ensure that contractors face no disruptions.
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Speaking through Muyideen Sanwo-Ola, Executive Assistant on Parks to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Benson emphasised the importance of timely completion for the benefit of the community.
Local residents, who have struggled with poor road conditions for decades, expressed relief and gratitude for the intervention. Ademoriti Maruf, a community member, highlighted the road’s deteriorated state, recalling how floods often disrupt daily life, damage property, and leave residents stranded after heavy rains.
Chief Qazeem Oyeniran, the community leader of Olufuja-Mojoda Araromi, expressed optimism about the project’s impact, noting how it would ease access for residents, especially during the rainy season when flooding often makes the road nearly impassable.
Similarly, Baale of Upenyanwa, Chief Nurudeen Shiriki, shared his excitement for the long-awaited project, hopeful that the new road will finally provide the community with much-needed relief and improve overall accessibility.
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